Thursday, 27 October 2011

Laid Bare by Lauren Dane

Unexpected Desire...

It's been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn't in the cards just yet...

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin's past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd's best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed--and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

He kissed her, feeling laid bare before her.

The first book of Brown Sibling, features the middle child Erin Brown, and her lovers, Todd Keenan and Ben Copeland.

The story begins 10 years ago. Erin Brown and Todd Keenan have a relationship when their at their twenties (Erin 24, Todd, not sure). Erin is a lady rocker, and Todd is a cop, but Erin already has a crush on her neighbor Todd, and he tries to hide his true desire. Bold as you please, Erin tells Todd to release at all, but Todd always refuses to. Finally they broke up and this leaves Erin broken hearted.

Back to the present day, Todd has just divorced his wife, and retired from his cop duty and has started a security business with Copeland Brothers, Ben and Andrew. Todd has changed from 10 years ago. He embrace his sexuality, to domination of his partner in bed. But now he surprised to find Erin has changed too. Once a musician, now Erin owns a cafe and is scarred, not just outside but inside her heart. Erin lost her child and nearly died after attack by a stalker, Erin now become paranoid, and traumatized, but more mature than 10 years before. Now its time for Todd to renew their relationship and to make Erin whole again. And this time it's not just Todd who loves Erin. Ben, Todd's partner also wants Erin, and doesn't mind sharing her. How do they manage their "menage" or triad life in front of people and their family since its such unusual relationship? Can Erin's wounds heal so she can love again, not just Todd but Ben as well? How does Ben place himself, since he just a 3rd person at their life?

Laid Bare is my first Lauren Dane's book. And I enjoyed this one. I read Laid Bare until 6.00 a.m this morning (wow!) and feel satisfied. This book is erotica, and I thought it wouldn't have a plot, esp when I read some early parts. Guess I was wrong.

10 years ago, both Erin and Todd are young and they do what they want. I like Erin at this time, she confident with her sexuality, while Todd is not. I expect a boring plot when they just start having sex again and again, but then the story moves forward 10 years later and I'm stunned. Sure, Todd and Erin are still making out, but this time, they're more mature, and Todd wants to heal Erin's heart. I love when there's no need to take a long time for H/h to declare their love. Sometimes I get antsy, when the hero and heroine declare their love. Sometimes it's too early (and makes me roll my eyes). Sometimes they say it near the end and I'm already exhausted over the wait, lol. When Todd tells Erin her loves her, its feels natural, and it's the same when Erin finally can finally say it. I love how Ms Dane didn't force their relationship, but built it slowl but solid.

I almost cried when learning Erin's past, when she lost her baby. How she felt depressed and defeated, lost in drugs and booze. Lucky for her , she hasd her brothers, Brody and Adrian to pull her back and , give her normalcy again. Even when she has problems with Todd, her brothers Brody and Adrian stand up for her. I love the solidity of Brown siblings, maybe because they already lost their parent when they were children, so they protect each other.

The other part I love is Ben Copeland. Ben is bisexual, so he loves men and women. He had a triad (or menage) life before so he doesn't mind sharing Erin with Todd, but he feels uncomfortable with Todd. He loves Todd, not just as friend, more that that, but they have been friends for a long time. Erin will unite them all. Even when they'd settled, problems are not always solved. In the eyes of people, and the law, triad life is unusual, Erin can't marry Todd and Ben both. So she marries Todd, because Todd is her first love. This is when new problem begin, how they convince people around and their family, Ben is important for them too. Ms Dane has written it so beautiful, but logical. Readers will be satisfied with how Ben solved his problem.

There are some BDSM scenes, but its so light. What I love is, even Todd and Ben have domination characteristic, they both gentle and caring to Erin. I don't mind alpha heroes, but sometimes get irritated at them,because they act like chauvinistic pigs and sometimes hurt the heroine. Ben and Todd choose to hurt themselves rather than hurt Erin. They spoiled her, and who doesn't want 2 hot men to care for you at the same time?
I wanted to give this 5 stars, but there were some parts I disliked, like sometime Ms Dane seemed prolong some parts, while I found it wasn't necessary. And just when I think the story is almost over, there's a new problem. But overall, Laid Bare is a good story. Its not just an usual love story, its not just an usual erotica romance. Its story is about family, its story is about how love can heal you, how love can make you face your life even when its hard, because you know you have people you love at your side.

Kudos to Ms Dane,and I can't wait to read Brody's story atComing Undone

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